"I wanted to show people that anyone could use what they had and still get ahead," she said.

"I used to be terrible with money and I taught myself how to be better and ultimately achieved financial freedom."

The trick is about making small sacrifices.

"Coffee is often at a friend’s instead of at a cafe. We picnic instead of buying lunch out. We camp instead of hotelling," says the mum of one.

"We make do with what we have rather than buying new. Things we do need, we don’t buy full price but wait till they go on sale."

Tips for paying off your mortgage quickly

When it comes to sticking to a budget, Farrelly says start small and make it sustainable.

Other tips include knowing exactly what you are spending your money on, no matter how small the expense. Start making extra mortgage repayments ASAP; even $10 a week will make a difference over the span of your loan.

Additionally, look for ways to save money. For example, do you really need subscriptions to three online streaming services? Make cuts and funnel the savings onto your loan. Most importantly, don’t make redraws.